Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 92 • December 7, 1994
TRAVELING FROM Bordeaux, France TO TOURS, FRANCE
My TGV ticket for France’s High Speed Train.
No Photographs from today - Travel Day
DAY 92 / 12-7-94
Day 92 • December 7, 1994
TRAVELING FROM ROTA, SPAIN TO TOURS, FRANCE - part 2
I pulled an all nighter last night, but it was cool. The train left Madrid on schedule at 18:15 [6:15 pm]. I wrote a letter home, read, bought a beer & listened to my CD player & watched the scenery go by until we reached the border town of Hendaye [France], where I had to change trains. It was 2 am.
A girl stuck her head in my compartment & asked, in French, if I spoke English. Her name was Julie, from California, who was studying in southern Spain. This was her first train trip & she had already been hassled once, so she was looking for company. She was visiting a friend in Bordeaux, so it was cool that we’d get off together.
But before our train left Hendaye, we got hassled again, this time by a French guy who obviously hated Americans. After trying to kick me & grab Julie’s chest & calling us “Putain Bordelles” (the equivalent swear word to cocksucker or fucking asshole) we changed compartments.
The rest of the trip went without incident, and we sat up talking about traveling, living overseas, politics, America, & so on. It really made the trip fly. And before we knew it, it was ten ‘till 6 and we were in Bordeaux.
My train didn’t leave until 7:13, and Julie’s friend wasn’t there, so we hung out & had a coffee.
It was exciting to be able to order in French (it was surprising how easy it was to remember). Before I knew it, it was time for me to leave on my last leg – well my last leg in Europe. Next time I will be heading HOME home!
It was a TGV, & it arrived without incident at 9:53 [pm]. Rachel was supposed to pick me up, but to my surprise Anne was there instead!
She took me back to Rachel’s house & we talked until Rachel got home. After eating lunch, Anne left, & Rachel & I went to Tours to do some Christmas shopping. Well, Rachel shopped, I watched.
We met Chantel [Olivier’s mom] at 5 [pm], and found out that Olivier was done at the Academy & had got a posting her in Tours, & I got to see him all dressed up in his uniform, patrolling the streets.
We did some shopping, then got a café, & then Rachel & I came home. We ate, then Olivier arrived. We talked awhile, but I was so exhausted that I was ready for bed by 8:30 [pm].
Oh, I almost forgot – I called home, for the last time! It was really exciting to know that next time I hear their voice I’ll be home! It’s been over 3 weeks since I talked to them, 4 countries ago.
We worked out the details for arriving home, and I can’t wait!
8 Days!
